“Yes, you do!”Victor pierces Derek’s neck, allowing more blood to protrude.
“Honestly, I don’t know. Florence just told me where to find her.”The bush doesn’t grow up Derek’s leg.
“YOU’RE LYING!”Victor shouts, causing a white glow to pulse off him, shaking the trees and disturbing the animals.
Derek’s eyes grow wide as he looks at the stream. The forest slowly fades into darkness.
Victor’s mother begins to worry as she looks around and slowly pulls back Victor’s hand.“My love, you need to go.”
“Not until I get him to tell me the truth,”Victor says aggressively. Loud moans come from behind him. Victor slowlyturns and sees dead souls climbing out of the dark purple River Styx.
Derek starts to struggle.“Get me out of this!”
Victor turns to his mother, asking,“Mom, how do we get out of here?”
Victor’s mother shakes her head.“I’m not sure. You’ve been here for too long. Your friends are the only way you can get out of this.”
Victor, his mother, and Derek watch as the dead souls slowly walk toward them.
“Guys, blood is starting to come out of their noses.” Leo panics as he and Eddie rush over to Victor.
“Watch out with the circle!” Superior Charles commands.
Madame Jeanette opens her eyes.“O Bondye! Sa pa bon!”She rushes over and places her hand on Victor’s cheek. “They are in trouble. We need to act quickly.”
Leo drops beside Victor. “How do we get them back?”
Wren starts to assess the situation. “Give me a second. I’m trying to think.”
“Make it quick,” Superior Charles demands.
Wren paces side to side. She keeps looking down at Victor and Derek.
Eddie looks at Wren. “Hurry, the bleeding won’t stop.”
Wren stops and perks up. “I can do it.” Everyone looks at her. “I need to go get them.”
“No! I’m not letting someone else go to the astral plane. Especially if they are in danger,”Superior Charles protests.
Wren takes the jar of black sand and makes a circle above Victor. “If you recall, Charles, I am older than you andmore experienced in necromancy.” She looks down at Madame Jeanette, “No offense.”
“None taken,” Madame Jeanette replies.
Superior Charles gives Wren an aggravated look. “You’re only two years older than me.”
Wren plops the empty jar in the box. “I just need two minutes.” She sits down in the circle and crisscrosses her legs. As she closes her eyes, she starts to whisper a chant.
Victor and his mother are as far back as they can go as the dead souls get closer.
“This is all your fault!”Derek shouts.
A flash of light appears out of nowhere. As Victor’s vision refocuses, he sees Wren making circles with her hands and arms. She creates a barrier, blocking the dead souls from approaching further.
Wren turns to everyone once she completes the barrier.“We need to get going.”She looks at Victor’s mother.“Are you Marie Russo?”
Victor’s mother shakes her head.“No, I’m his mother, Theresa Russo.”
Wren curtsies.“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Russo.”
